Hilarity for Charity: Is it groundbreaking for this generation?

Neuro Note 1 OT 537

      I have started a new routine. I decided to wake up every morning no later that 8:00 a.m. and watch the morning news. This morning (7/15/19), I was watching the Today show and considering what topic I would cover for my first Neuro Note when low and behold Seth Rogan is on my TV screen talking about Alzheimer's disease. 

Link to Hilarity for Charity
Image from: google images

      The segment was about millennials and prevention of diseases that effect the brain, specifically Alzheimer's disease. In 2012 Seth Rogan and his wife started a foundation titled "Hilarity for Charity" which centers on research for degenerative brain disease, awareness for individuals in their 20s and 30s to prevent brain disease, and destigmatizing ideas surrounding brain disease. The segment also interviewed three millennial who advocate for Alzheimer's awareness and prevention. One being a published author that I will touch on later.

      I did some further research into the website and I was immediately prompted to sign up for information with boxes like caregiver resources, events, advocacy, brain healthy tips and Alz news. Following this I clicked the tab "This is Alzheimer's" where there are facts and personal stories about the disease. Some facts listed are as follows:

•  5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease.
• Alzheimer's is the 6th leading cause of death in the US. 
• Alzheimer’s is the only cause of death among the top 10 in America without a way to prevent, cure, or even slow its progression.  

      I took the time to read 3 of the 20 plus stories written on the website. The personal testimonies and information provided was raw and eye-opening. One quote from the stories I read jumped out to me:

 "Jo was finally diagnosed when he was 37, he’s now 42 and in the later stages of the disease. And also that Alzheimer’s affects all parts of the body as the brain is continually and irreversibly damaged; it isn’t just about forgetting – if only it were that simple." 

Link to buy Genius Foods
Image from: Amazon

This really goes to show that Alzheimer's does not discriminate based on age. Thats why in the Today show segment the profile of a young man in his 30s, Max Lugavere, who wrote the book "Genius Foods" but the help of Paul Grewal, MD. This book focus on foods to help maintain brain health. On the Today show and in the book discussion of an increase of antioxidants in ones diet. I did some follow up research and according to the journal Neurological Sciences article "Dietary Pattern in Relation to the Risk of Alzheimer's Disease: A systematic review" there is a correlation. Hilarity for Charity briefly mentions diet under their tab "Brain Health."      As an occupational therapy student it is my job to learn about neurological disorders and how to advocate for individuals with neurological disorders however today I feel like I learned a little about how my generation is working to prevent early onset of the neurological disease that takes away one's memory.

Andres Lozano, TEDtalk
TEDtalk on Deep Brain Stimulation
Image from: google images

      One final point I would like to make is from a TEDtalk I watched. This TEDtalk was filmed in 2013 and focused on Parkinson's Disease and deep brain simulation however it the final 5 minutes the talk touched on Alzheimer's and its correlation to deep brain simulation. The talk discussed using deep brain simulation to increase glucose level in the brain to "turn the lights back on". I would love to see some of the neurological aspects of Alzheimer's Disease integrated in the millennial discussion. Maybe I will write in to Seth about glucose levels and deep brain stimulation to get the word out there.

 Reference

Hilarity for Charity. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://hilarityforcharity.org/ 

Lozano, A. (n.d.). Retrieved July 15, 2019, from https://www.ted.com/talks/andres_lozano_parkinson_s_depression_and_the_switch_that_might_turn_them_off#t-800364

Samadi, M., Moradi, S., Moradinazar, M., Mostafai, R., & Pasdar, Y. (2019). Dietary pattern in relation to the risk of Alzheimer’s disease: A systematic review. Neurological Sciences. doi:10.1007/s10072-019-03976-3

TodayShow. (n.d.). Retrieved July 15, 2019, from https://www.today.com/video/getting-ahead-of-alzheimer-s-young-people-look-to-protect-brain-health-63867973518

On Bed Mobility: Biomechanics Blog Post Seven

Mobility is something most people take for granted. We think nothing of walking across the room to pick up an object or even getting out of bed without additional devices or help. However these abilities are not available to everyone whether it be due to a disability since birth, degenerative diseases, age, or an acquired injury.

Knowing the aforementioned information, it is helpful to know that there is also a "Hierarchy of Mobility Skills" that scale mobility from bed mobility to to community to mobility and driving. I personally had not taken the time to think of mobility in a specific order before learning of this BUT now that I do know I think it makes perfect sense. When learning or relearning mobility skills it is critical to build on the skills. Starting with bed mobility and moving to mat transfers, wheelchair transfers, bed transfers, mechanical ambulation for ADLs, toileting and tub transfers, car transfers, functional ambulation, and finally community mobility and driving is the technical chronological order.

I do think it is important to note that the order of learning these skills can overlap and should overlap. A person should find their just right challenge and use self reflection to find their level of comfort in moving from one skill to the next. I also think it is important to note that learning proper mobility takes practice and can be adapted slightly per person. In lecture we were shown a video of an individual with a spinal cord injury getting in and out of bed. He has learned this skill and adapted it to his personal preference while still following safety precautions. In simulation lab we as class learned that doing this the first time can be awkward however we found that practice is key and I believe it will be the same when working with clients.

I agree with the hierarchy of mobility skills as a blueprint for adaptations of movement and ADLs. I look forward to applying the knowledge in practice in the future!

Assistive Devices: Biomechanics Blog Post Six

Assessing proper fitting for: Canes, Axillary crutches, Lofstrand crutches, Platform walkers, and Rolling walkers

Why is important to fit an individual for an assistive device? For one, no two people are made the same therefore to properly fit an assistive device an individuals height, stability and comfortability must be taken into account as well as their needs. For example does this person fatigue easily? Should they be fitted for a device that includes a seat? Or does this person need supplemental oxygen? Should they be fitted for a device that includes space for an O2 tank?

How exactly does one fit for these five different devices?

Image retrieved from google images

Canes: Have the client stand with arms relaxed at their side. The cane handle should be in line with the wrist crease, ulnar styloid, or greater trocanter. When holding the cane the elbow should be fleced approximately 20-30 degrees.

Axillary Crutches: Estimate the length of the crutches based on the individuals height, the arm rest should be 2 to 3 finger lengths from the axilla and hand grips should be in line with the greater trochanter. Have the client stand with arms relaxed at sides and adjust height of crutches accordingly.

Lofstrand Crutches: Hand grips should be facing forward and at the height of the clients greater trochanter. The arm band should be positioned 2/3 of the way up the forearm, proximal to the elbow.

Platform and Rolling Walkers:  Estimate the appropriate height of the walker based on the clients height, adjust the hand grips so they are in line with the greater trochanter, ulnar styloid or wrist crease. Elbows should be flexed to approximately 20-30 degrees. *Platform walkers should have the platform positioned to allow the elbow to be flexed to 90 degrees, the proximal ulna should be positioned 1 to 2 inches off the platform surface. The handle of the platform need to be position medially for the clients grip comfort.

Information retrieved from MOBI app.

Proper Posture and Body Mechanics: Biomechanics Blog Post 5

The right way to sit and the right way to move; could it be life changing? 4 main reasons to adjust your posture and movement for improvement!

1. Maintaining natural curvatures of the spine. There are two lordotic curve and two kyphotic curves. Deformation of these curves can lead to a plethora of issues such as thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, flatback, swayback, or kyphosis-lordosis. 
2. Alignment of the body parts. The ideal position would have gravity centered over the base of support. This allows body systems to function properly.
3. To avoid disc compression. When the spine is overly flexed or extended it has the potential to result in a bulging, herniated, ruptured, or even fragmented disc. 
4. Prevent back pain. Back pain is a result of bad posture, lack of flexibility, improper body mechanics, or excessive stress in various aspects of life.

Using OT to intervene with issues of improper posture and poor body mechanics:

1. Demonstrate proper lifting techniques; using the rod to show the erect back, bending of the legs, and the weight being as close to your body as possible.
2. Go through various therapies in different sitting positions explaining the different positions and their importance. Examples being anterior sitting prior to standing to catch a ball or middle sitting to play cards.

A Strange Short Story: Biomechanics Blog Post Four

Man from the South

The man from the south is a short story about a betting man and a solider he encounters on a sunny day at the pool. In the story the betting man habitually bets his car or the cutting off of a finger. In the end we come to find that his wife has been betting him for quite some time and has lost three fingers in the process. 

For the purpose of this blog post I will be focusing on the wife and her unfortunate finger loss. She has been left with a thumb and index finger. Many activities of daily life will be affected but since it is told in the story she has a car I have decided to focus on her ability to drive. Driving will be affected because the wife will have trouble gripping the steering wheel with only two fingers. The typical grip for holding a steering wheel would be a power grip however with only a thumb and index finger this may be challenging. Strategies to combat this barrier would be grip strength exercises to improve pinch grip. 1 modification I came up with would be adding velcro to the steering wheel and making her a velcro glove. This way she can use her palm and ensure that it is on the wheel, while using grip from the two fingers to turn the wheel back and forth. 

Foundations of Occupational Therapy- Course Take-Aways

I honestly feel like I took a lot away from the Foundations of Occupational Therapy course. The nature of the class was not very stressful and was engaging, which is something a student can really look forward to during a graduate program. Two of my biggest take aways from the course content would be the emphasis on the holistic approach to occupational therapy and the OT process. However there were many other things I will take away such as therapeutic use if self, cultural humility, test taking skills and interprofessional (?) skills, and a general approach to how to treat people you work and interact with.

Foundations really emphasized the holistic approach to OT. Looking at a person as a whole and all aspects of their life. Taking to time to consider nonverbal communications, living situations, and most importantly what is important to the person you are working with. Taking the time to actively listen to clients when they begin telling you about their life and their struggles (and successes!).

The OT process is the evaluation, the intervention, and the outcome. The evaluation being an interview with a client or family member, a standardize test or assessment, or an observation. The intervention being what you decide to do based on the evaluation and the outcome being the progress made by the client. I think a big take away from this is the idea that sometimes an OT will have to go back reevaluate and develop a new intervention, sometimes even multiple times.

Scapulohumeral Rhythm: Biomechanics Blog Post Three

What is the clinical relevance of the Scauplohumeral Rhythm? And how can it affect your ROM measurements of the shoulder?

The Scapulohumeral Rhythm is the relationship of movement between the scapula and the humerus as well as the related joints for example the Scapulothoracic Joint and the Glenohumeral Joint. The clinical relevance of this rhythm is to help maintain space and confirms a synchronized movement of the joints and the bone structures. The scapulohumeral rhythm also aids in maintaining length tension relationships, the subacrominal space and prevent active insufficiency of the glenohumeral muscles.

Without Scapulohumeral Rhythm range of motion will be limited due to humeral heads inability to rotate laterally. If the humeral head cannot rotate laterally then the greater tubercle will not be able to pass the acromion. Scapulohumeral Rhythm also affects range of motion because the movement is happening between two joints all there to be much MORE range of motion in the shoulder.